Contact Information:

George Mason University. Libraries. Special Collections Research Center

Creator

Margaret Yocom

Creator

Peter C. Brunette, Jr.

Title:

Motion picture press kit collection

Dates:

1968-2004

Quantity:

10 linear feet (16 boxes)

Abstract

This collection contains hundreds of motion picture press kits donated by George Mason University English professors Peter Brunette, Jr. and Margaret R. Yocom. The press kits promote foreign as well as domestic films, mostly from the past two decades, and range in format from glossy, full-color booklets to packets printed out in black and white and stapled together.

Press kits are packets of printed material distributed to promote the release of a forthcoming film. They often include photographs along with text promoting the film and providing information on actors, directors, and producers. Press kits can range from glossy, full-color booklets to loose assemblages of photographs, slides, and stapled packets of information. Since distribution of expensive, full-color press kits is often limited to industry leaders (critics, promoters, etc.), press kits can be quite collectable, particularly for Hollywood blockbusters that have stood the test of time and successful independent features. This collection of motion picture press kits was assembled by Margaret Yocom, a George Mason University professor of folklore who has written film reviews for academic journals, and Peter C. Brunette, a GMU professor of English and film studies who served on the International Critics' Jury at the Bangkok International Film Festival.

This collection contains hundreds of motion picture press kits donated by George Mason University English professors Peter Brunette, Jr. and Margaret R. Yocom. The press kits range in format from glossy, full-color booklets to packets printed out in black and white and stapled together. Several press kits also include promotional photographs and color slides. The collection is divided into three series, grouping press kits, correspondence and other papers related to the film industry, and oversized promotional material together.

Series 1 contains several hundred press kits for a variety of films, including major studio and independent releases. The press kits promote foreign as well as domestic films from the past two decades. The professionally printed materials include press kits for "Bandit Queen," "Japon," "Europa," "Dancer in the Dark," "Brother's Keeper," "The Piano," "Antz," "Todo Sobre Mi Madre," "The English Patient," "Eternity and a Day," "The Road to Perdition," "Muriel's Wedding," and "The Straight Story." Some press kits include handwritten notes and reviews, along with articles published in major newspapers and trade magazines about the films.

Series 2 contains miscellaneous documents pertaining to the movie industry. Included is "A Guide to Self Distribution", detailing the challenges faced by independent movie producers. Also included in this series are mailings from movie studios and schedules of upcoming releases.

Series 3 contains oversized promotional film material. Some material is accompanied by its printed press kit. The oversized promotional items in this series include a promotional package for the film "Barb Wire" with a copy of the original comic book, and an original souvenir booklet produced for the release of "2001: A Space Odyssey".

Processed by Special Collections Research Center staff. EAD markup completed by Eron Ackerman and Jordan Patty in April 2009. Additional processing and arrangement completed by Kristen Korfitzen in 2012.

This series contains hundreds of press kits for both major studio and independently released films. Several press kits were printed for film festivals and contain promotional photographs and slides as well as printed information. Press kits range from professionally produced booklets, to CD-ROM format, to simple print outs.

Box

Folder

1

1

Pi 1998

Includes a cast and crew list with brief biographies and a short synopsis of the film.

2

8 Women 2002

Promotional booklet for the 2002 Berlin International Film Festival, and printed material including: detailed cast and crew list including biographies and interviews, selected filmographies, film synopsis, and soundtrack information.

Includes printed material including: detailed cast and crew list including biographies and interviews, selected filmographies, film synopsis, and soundtrack information. Also contains an invitation to the Cannes '94 midnight screening and pre-screening party, four promotional slides, and promotional articles.

8

After Life 1998

Printed material including: detailed cast and crew list including biographies and interviews, selected filmographies, and film synopsis. Also includes three promotional film stills.

Includes two large color promotional booklets including: film synopsis, interviews with director and actors, biographies of cast and crew, timeline with overview of the historical period in which the film is set, and reactions and information about the original play and playwright. Also included is a film review from the New York Times.

Printed material including: detailed cast and crew list including biographies and interviews, selected filmographies, film synopsis, and soundtrack information. Also includes a photocopy of a 1996 Variety article on the film.

24

The Apple 1998

Promotional color booklet made for the 1998 Cannes Film Festival. Printed in both French and English.

25

Artemisia 1998

Printed material includes an interview with the director, information on cast and crew and a synopsis of the film. Also included are notes from Art Historian Mary Garrard challenging the historical accuracy of the film.

Printed material including: detailed cast and crew list including biographies and interviews, selected filmographies, film synopsis. Also includes two promotional photographs.

7

The Blair Witch Project 1999

Printed material including: detailed cast and crew list including biographies and interviews, selected filmographies, film synopsis, and soundtrack information. Also includes information the "history" of the Blair Witch and the events in the movie.

8

Bloody Morning 1993

Four promotional photographs.

9

Blow 2001

Contains two promotional packets, one detailing the movie and another titled "A Brief Primer on Cocaine and Cartles".

Printed material including: detailed cast and crew list, selected filmographies, film synopsis, three promotional photographs, flyers and post cards. Copies of movie reviews from Variety, the New York Times, the International Herald and Premiere are also included.

Printed including: detailed cast and crew list, selected filmographies, historical content relevant to the film, and film synopsis. Also includes a set of oversized tarot cards, printed with film stills and character information.

Printed material including: detailed cast and crew list, selected filmographies, and film synopsis. Promotional color booklet, two sheets of handwritten notes, an article from the New York Observer and one from the New Yorker.

This series includes printed material related to the film industry. Included is a guide to movie distribution, a booklet announcing the release of several silent films, and a list of upcoming new releases.

Box

Folder

15

17

A Guide to Self Distribution 1988-2004

18

A Milestone Film and Video Release 1991

Newsletter and articles about the release of several silent and early sound films, previously unavailable on video.